SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man shot early Tuesday on Syracuse's Near West Side has died.

James E. Smith Jr. was shot just after 1 a.m. at 311 Merriman Ave., said Sgt. Richard Helterline, a Syracuse Police Department spokesman. The Syracuse man was shot near his hip, he said.

Smith died shortly after he was rushed to Upstate University Hospital. He was 33 years old.

The shooting was reported at 1:09 a.m. It appears Smith was shot inside the Merriman Avenue residence, Helterline said.

No suspect description is available.

Syracuse police officers and crime scene tape block off part of the 300 block of Merriman Avenue near Barrett Street after a shooting early Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Syracuse.Samantha House

Smith's death marks the 19th homicide in Syracuse in 2017. The last homicide happened four days earlier and less than half a mile away.

Jaquan Moore, 18, was stopped at a light on South Geddes Street in his car Friday evening when he was fatally shot. He lost control of his car after he was shot -- crashing into a building before hitting a light pole and coming to a stop at Gifford Street.

The two deadly shootings do not appear to be related, Helterline said.

Police remained on Merriman Avenue hours after the shooting -- blocking off a small stretch of the snow-covered street near Barrett Street. An officer walked around the perimeter, occasionally shaking snow off of the yellow fence of crime scene tape.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the homicide.

Police asked anyone with information about Smith's death to call (315) 442-5222. Police said anyone who wants to give an anonymous tip can call the homicide tip line at (315) 442-5223 or use the SPD Tips app.